Blockchain technology is in the early stages of development: winners and losers will emerge.
If someone is curious about blockchain and cryptocurrency, there are now Financial firms making it easier to get some exposure to these investments.
“Blockchain has the potential to be a truly disruptive technology that could change the way all kinds of economic activity is handled,” said Jim Sinegal, senior equity analyst at Morningstar. “Ignoring blockchain today is like ignoring the internet 30 years ago,” he added.
“We’re going to see a lot of successes and failures, things that happen in 2018, 2019 that don’t necessarily reflect on the entire future of blockchain and decentralized technology,” Sinegal said.
There are about 10 funds including both exchange-traded funds and mutual funds that offer some exposure to blockchain. Although the Securities and Exchange Commission currently does not allow those funds to invest directly in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin.
Some of the funds also invest in larger companies that are working directly with blockchain, such as IBM, which is trying to establish itself as a leader with this technology, and Overstock.com, which accepts bitcoin for payments. “It’s unclear as to what percent of IBM business is even linked to this technology at this point,” Icten said.
